Partition



April 28, 1936. f A. G. DAWSON. l Re. 19,946

PARTITION l Y Original Filed June 24, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 afro/ne? Apri-l 28, 1936. A. G. DAWSON Re. l19,946

PARTITION original File-d June 24, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 28, 1936. A, Q DAWSON PARTITION Original Filed June 24, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l er FTTOlP/YEY Reissuecl Apr. 28,1936 Re.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PARTITION Axel G. Dawson, Jamestown, N. Y., assignor to Dahlstrom Metallic Door Company, Jamestown, N. Y., a corporation of New York Original No. 1,716,624, dated June 11, 1929, Serial No. 201,096, June 24, 1927. Application for reissue June 11, 1931, Serial No. 543,726

16 Claims. (CI. 189-34) This invention relates to an improvement in a partition construction which is so arranged partitions, and more particularly to the conwith relation to panels, transoms and doors that struction and assembly thereof. these parts may be removed and interchanged It has long been necessary to divide rooms and without disturbing or tearing down the remainder oflice spaces by means of partitions which extend of the partition. v 5 either from the floor to the ceiling or simply to A further object of this invention is to provide the top of the door frame. This latter class of a partition construction which is secured solely partitions is known in the trade as 7 foot 6 partialong the floor and yet is entirely rigid and more tions, and will be referred to as such throughout than strong enough for the use to which it is put. 1o the following specification. There have been A still further object of this invention is to 10 many kinds of partitions in use, some of which provide a partition construction which is adapted were built up as they were installed while others to receive subsequently other partitions extending have been partially assembled at the factory and at right angles thereto without altering or in any finally assembled on the job. There have been way modifying the partition already positioned.

wooden partitions with either glass or veneered Other objects of this invention will appear from 15 panels and metal partitions with glass or sheet aconsideration of the following specification taken metal panels in use for some time. in connection with the drawings and in which In all the constructions up to the present time, Fig. lis a front elevation of a ceiling height parhowever, each type of partition has failed matetiton showing a door, transom and panels of 2O rially in several respects. 1st: The space to be metal and glass in place. 20 partitioned off needed to be accurately deter- Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a 7 foot 6 height mined and the partitions were therefore required partition showing a door and an adjacent panel to be made according to specific dimensions. of metal and glass in place.

Oftentimes allowances for corners, cornices, abut- Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3,

ments or projections of some kind or another were of Fig. l and illustrates the manner in which the 25 not made and as a result when the partitions end of a partition abuts a wall. were assembled on the job it was necessary to alter Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4 4, them, these alterations entailing considerable of Fig. 1 and shows the manner in which panels time and expense and were not satisfactory. are secured to a pilaster and also the manner of 2nd: Supports of various kinds were necessary to removably securing door moulding thereto. 30 position the partitions, these supports being per- Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5 5, manently secured to the floor, walls in some inof Fig. 1 and shows the manner of securing the stances the ceiling, and it followed that in the mop moulding and lower end of the pilaster at event it became necessary to move the partitions, the oor.

the walls and floors, uncovered by such removal, Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 35 were unsightly and needed special and clever Work 6 6, of Fig. l and shows an intermediate rail to to cover up the blemishes. 3rd: When the parwhich panels are secured above and bellow said titions were assembled with solid panels and it rail, the lower panel indicated as of metal and was desired to remove the panels for any reason the upper panel as of glass.

and substitute a glass panel, or if a door was Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 1 1 40 located at one side of the partition and it was of Fig. 1 and shows the manner of securing the desired to locate it at some other place the paradjustable cornice and filler a1; the ceiling,

would, Of necessity, have t0 be torn dOWn 8 a sectional View taken on the line A at least partially in order to make tlhese changes. 3 8 of Fig 2 and shows the method of reinforc 5 The construction disclosed in the fo lowing speciflcation eliminates and overcomes all these diflond enclosmg the upper edge of a' 7 foot 6 par culties and hence is a great improvement over any partition construction or assembly at the present time.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9 9, of Fig. 1 and shows an intermediate rail One object of this invention is to provide a with the upper portion of a' ioor moulding Se' 50 partition construction which, due to its adaptabil- Cured below and the lower portlon 0f the transom ity, will accurately iii within a given space, even Secured above the m11 though there has been a slight error in deter- Fig. 10 is a fragmentary 101'1gi11di11a1 Sectional mining this space. view of a pilaster and an adjustable wall member Another object of this invention is to provide illustrating the means for altering and fixing 55 the spaced relation of said member to said pilaster.

Fig. 1l is a transverse sectional view of a pilaster, panel and transom and shows a modification of the means for securing panels and frame to said pilaster.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the modication shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken vertically through the base of a pilaster showing its engagement with the channel bar which positively determines the placing of eachpilaster.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line I4-'I4, of Fig, 4.

Inasmuch as this invention comprises many parts, some of which are identical in construction, such duplicate parts will not be described in detail but will merely bear corresponding reference numerals.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 3, 4 and 11, the reference numeral I0 represents a pilaster which comprises two oppositely faced members II and I2 held in a fixed position relative to each other by means of a reinforcing member I3. The member II is centrally and vertically indented at I5 and `the side edges I8 and I9 are bent inwardly at right angles thereto forming vflanges 29 and 2l. The edges of the anges 20 and `2l are again bent inwardly forming short flanges 22 and 23. Pockets 24 and 25 are thus formed by the edges I8 and flanges 20 and 22 and the edges I9 and flanges 2I and 23, respectively. The member I2 being a duplicate of the member I I also has an indented portion 3| and pockets 32 and 33.

The reinforcing member I3 comprises two abutting channular elements I6 and I1, permanently secured to each other along their abutting faces 29 and 30 by welding or other suitable means. 'I'he element I6 comprises a channular shaped portion, the base of which is the face 29 and the walls of which terminate in double flanged portions 34 and 35. The edge of the portion 34 vis adapted to fit within the pocket 24 of the member II and likewise the edge of the portion 35 is adapted to fit within the pocket 32 ofthe member I2. The element I1 being a duplicate of the element I6 terminates in similar double flanged portions 38 and 39, the portion 38I fitting within the pocket 25 of the member II and the portion 39 fitting within the pocket 33 of the member I2. It may be seen that by positioning and securing the walls I I and I2 by means of the reinforcing member I3, a substantial pilaster or post is formed.

Vertical slots 40 are cut into each of the flanges 34 and 35 of the element I6 and also into each of the Yflanges 38 and 39 of the element I 1, said slots being adapted to receive and interlock with combined keepers and spacer members 4`I. These combined keepers and spacer members 4I, as is clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, are U-shaped members, lthe cover edges of the side walls 42 of which are vertically notched to engage or hook onto the flanges 34 and 35 of the element I6 through the slots 4D and the flanges 39 and 39 of the element I1 through the slots therein. Keepers 4I are secured 'along the base to a channel member of such dimensions that it will fit between the flanges which form the pockets v'24 and 32. Keepers are also securedy along the base of a channel member 65 which is of such dimensions that it will t between the flanges which form'the pockets 25 and 33. Within the channel member 43 and in laterally adjustable relation therewith is a hollow filler 44 reinforced by brackets 45. The filler 44 is closed at one end by the wall 46, said wall, when in position of use, being within the pocket 41 in the channel member 43. The opposite end of the member 44, across which the brackets 45 extend, is open and when in use abuts the plaster 48 secured to a wall 49 (see Fig. 3).

Within the pocket 41 between the walls 46 of the filler 44 and the wall 50 of the channel member 43 adjustable take-up members 5I are located which operatively control all lateral adjustment of the filler 44 with relation to the channel member 43. In Figs. 3 andA 10 a take-up member 5I is shown operably secured between the wall 50 of the channel member 43 and a plate 52. The plate 52 extends longitudinally of the pocket 41 and is adapted at all times to rest against the wall 46 of the filler 44. The plate 52 extends to within a short space of the top and bottom of the partition construction and is flanged inwardly at its upper and lower ends, only the upper flange 53 being shown. Through the upper flange 53 is a threaded opening 54 with which a screw 56 meshes. Secured to the wall 46 above the upper flange 53 is an angle bracket 58, said bracket hav-` ing through its horizontal portion an opening 59 in vertical alignment with the opening 54 of the flange 53. The screw 56 is adapted to extend through the opening 59 and threadably engage the flange 53 by means of the opening 54. 'Ihe head 60 of the screw 56 at all times rests against the upper face of the horizontal portion of the bracket 58. fact that the bracket 58 is rigidly secured to the wall 46 but that the plate 52 merely abuts the wall 46 and is free to be raised or lowered with relation thereto.

As stated above, the takeup members 5I are positioned within the pocket 41 and each co-mprises three elements 6 I, 62, and 63. The element 6I is rigidly secured to the plate 52, the element 63 is likewise secured to the wall 59 of the channel member 43, and the element 62 hingedly joins the other two elements. Inasmuch as the wall 46 and bracket 58 are only capable of lateral movement while the plate 52 is capable of vertical as well as lateral movement, any turning of the screw 56 in a clockwise direction will tend to move the plate upwardly toward the bracket 56. However, the plate is secured to the wall 50 by means of the takeup members 5I and can therefore not move upward in a directly vertical manner` but must move outwardly and upwardly at the same time, the direction of travel being defined by the arc through which the elements 62 of the takeup members 59 travel. Since the plate 52 must travel laterally and upwardly, any such movement thereof will force the wall 46 in a'directly lateral direction as the plate 52 and wall 46 are in slidable engagement with each other. It is therefore evident that by turning the screw 56 in a direction to move the plate 52 upwardly. said plate will move outwardly, forcing with it the wall 46 and bracket 58, the flanges 53 remaining vin vertical alignment with said bracket. Since the hollow filler 44 includes the wall 46, said ller will be moved laterally until it abuts the plaster 48 of the wall 49. It may be seen that the more the screw 56 is turned, the greater the pressure exerted by the plate 52 against the wall `46 will be, and it is by means of this pressure imparted to the ller member 44, that it sealingly abuts the plastered wall so firmly that further Particular attention is called to the securing means between the plaster 48 and the filler member 44 is unnecessary. The screw 56 not only functions to change the relative position between the filler 44 and the member 43 but also acts to lock it in such changed position. The above described adjustable filler member is very necessary to partition construction, since it is very diicult to move a plaster once it is in place. There consequently should be some means of'adjustably bridging the gap between the filler 44 when it is first set up and the plaster 48 and this is accomplished in the manner stated without the usual work involved when other makes of partitions are installed.

The construction of the partition from the wall to the first plaster having been described, the panel construction between pilasters will now be taken up. Referring again to Fig. 3 it will be noted that the wall II is identical with the wall I2 and the side to which the filler 44, or ller member as it may be termed, is secured is identical to the opposite side thereof and it is to this side opposite from the filler member that attention is now directed. Between the innermost flanges of the pockets 25 and 33 in the plaster is positioned the channel member 65 hereinbefore referred to, which bears against the U-shaped keepers 4| engaged or hooked onto the flanges 38 and 39. Within the channel member 65 and in slidable engagement with the side walls thereof is a frame 66, having a panel 61 rigidly mounted therein. Between the inner wall 10 of the frame 66 and the wall 1I of the member 65 is located a takeup member 13. This takeup member com- L, prises three elements similar to the member 5I but is of smaller size and therefore limited to a small adjustment. One extreme element is rigidly secured to the wall 1I and the other extreme element is secured to the wall 10. It may be seen that the frame 66 by means of the take-up member 13, is in adjustable relation to the wall 1I of the channel member 65. When lateral pressure is brought to bear upon the frame 66 in a direction toward the plaster I0, the member 13 will collapse into the recess of the member 65 and bring the frame 66 into closer proximity with the wall 1I. The details of construction of the frame 66 will not be enumerated inasmuch as any frame may be adapted to this construction, provided it has a wall similar to the wall 10 of said frame and also that it will slidably enter the recess of the channel member 65. The other vertical wall of the frame 66 need not be discussed inasmuch as it is identical in construction with that portion of the frame just described and is also adapted to engage the next adjoining plaster by means of a channel member and keeper (see Fig. 4).

Referring to Fig. 1 it will be observed that the description thus far has included the wall of a building, a ller member, a plaster and a panel up to the plaster which is adjacent a door; and it is to be particularly noted that the filler member is exceedingly narrow and consequently gives the completed partition a symmetrical and nished appearance from end to end with the end pilasters closely positioned to the walls. The effect of such a partition on the eye is, when viewed from any point between the ends of the partition and any distance away from it, that the structure was made to exact measurement so as to accurately t the space between the two walls it was placed. This is clearly indicated in Fig. 1, wherein the ller members are shown as occupying only a very small fraction of the spaces occupied by the adjacent panel portions of the partition, and wherein the end pilasters serve to provide the nish to the ends of the partition so appealing to the eye and invariably demanded by the purchaser; although not previously obtainable unless the partition was constructed to exact measurements so as to exactly fit between two spaced walls. Moreover, the comparatively narrow filler members at one side of and beyond the end pilasters which project outwardly beyond the surface of the filler member and the comparatively wide panel portions of the partitien, are practically concealed by such end pilasters when viewing the end portions of the partition from any intermediate point, and consequently a variation of several inches between the main body portion of the partition and the space between walls can be taken care of by the filler members without destroying the effect which the end pilasters are to have as finishing members. The door and transom construction with relation to the plaster and also two intermediate rails will now be described. The plaster III as illustrated in Fig. 4 shows a panel and frame construction on two sides thereof and a door jamb construction on the third. The side of the pilaster to which the door jamb is adapted to be positionedis identical in construction with the side of said plaster in which is positioned the frame 66 above described. The door jamb 80 comprises two channular members 8| and B2, the member 82 fitting within the member BI. The base walls 83 and 84 of the members 8| and 82, respectively, are separated to permit the necessary door hardware (not shown) to be secured thereto. ber 82 and in xed relation therewith are one or more combined keepers and spacers 85 which are substantially identical in construction with the keepers 4I, differing therefrom merely in the length of the legs. These keepers are adapted to removably engage the flanges 38 and 39 of the member I3 in exactly the same way as do the keepers 4 I. By referring to Fig. 14 a clear understanding of the function of said keepers may be had. Since the door jamb is subject to considerable vibration and, in cases where there is no sill, is not supported at the bottom, the keepers are welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the jamb, or more particularly, the channel member 62 of the jamb.

The plaster I0 is shown in Fig. 4 as positioning and securing panel frame constructions on two adjacent sides thereof and the door jamb construction on the third. The two adjacent sides of the plaster while somewhat variant in construction are adapted vto receive identical frames. Hence since the depths of the recesses,

- in the adjoining sides of the plaster, are unlike,

the keepers 4I are used to make said recesses uniform whereby the channel member 65 enters the plaster the same depth in either recess. In other words, the channel member 65 is adapted to engage any one of the four sides of the pilaster in exactly the same manner, on the sides II and I2 without the use of the keepers 4| and on the remaining two sides by means of said keepers.

The lintel or lintel portion 86 of the door jamb 60 across the top of the door is somewhat similar in construction to the side of said jamb above described and as shown in Fig. 9 is adapted to be secured to a rail 9|! in the following manner. The door lintel 86 rests on the jambs 80 and is open on its upper side, terminating at its edges in flanges 9| and 92 extending inwardly a short distance, whereby the width of said open Positioned within the channel memsideisrestricted. Apocket 93 is thereby formed in which ispositioned therail 9.0. by means.l of` an extended centerY portion 9.5 thereof. The portion is made upr of overlappingy ends of each of'the walls 96 and 91, said walls being held in` juxtaposition because of tl'nair. position within the pocket 93 and a similar pocket above.. The upperfportion of the rail 90.is constructed identically with the lower portion and is adapted to t within a pocket 98 ofatransom frame `member 99 in exactly the same man-ner as it nts within the lintel 86. The transom ljbeingof the usual con-struction will not be'y herein described nor will the small glass panel |0| shown in Fig. 1 be discussed inl detail, sinceit is constructed similarly to the other panels previously. described with the exception that it is smaller.

Fig. '7 shows a sectional view of the upper portion of the frame member 66 with a glass panel |06 secured therein in place of the metal panel 61 andthe means of positioning said frame along its upper edge. The frame` 6,6 is adapted to engage an adjustable cornice and I'lller |08 which bridges the space between the upper face of the frame 66 and the ceiling ||0 and which comprises the following parts. The cornice |08 has an upper channular element IH, the base ||2 of whichabutsv the ceiling andthe walls ||4 and ||5 are engaged by removable side `plates ||6 and ||1. Each of the plates ||6 comprises-two parts ||8 and H9, the part H9 being secured along its lower edge to the middle and indented portion |20 of the part II8. 'Ihe parts ||8 and I5 form, when thus secured, a wall having an upwardly opening pocket |2| into which the wall ||4 may extend. 'Ihe lower edge of the part |`|8 is flanged to form a lower pocket |24, the use of which will later be described. The plate ||1 also comprises parts ||8, ||9 which provide an upwardly opening pocket |2| to receive the wall IE5 and a lower pocket |24.

Resting upon the upper end of each pilaster and extending the full horizontal length of the partition is a base member |25. This member comprises doubled flanged side portions |21 which rest upon the members Il, I2 and are locked together by central portions |28, said central portions being between the pilasters and having downwardly extending flanges which engage and retain inner and upturned flanges of the portions |21. The portion |28y is centrally depressed at |29 and when joined to= the anged portions |21, longitudinal channels are formed on each side of said depressedportion, the outside walls of each of said longi-v tudinal channels being formed by the inner. flanges of the portions |21. The edges of the frame 55 terminate in separated feet |30, the feet of the edgeatthe cornice and filler |08 entering the longitudinal channels therein. A screw ISI secures the centrally indented portion |29 to thewall 10 of the frame. |21 of the base member |25 terminate on` their outer sides in upturned walls `which are adapted to enter the pockets |24 formed in the bottom of each of the side plates Ill'V and ||1fand act to removably secure these plates in place.

Enclosed within the cornice |08 are expansion bolts |32, one of these boltsv being located above` each pilaster and being the sole means of secur-A ing the partition with relation to the ceiling. The upper end of the-bolt |32 has'smallprojections |33 which frictionally engage thev wall ||2 of the channular element4 Each bolt extends downwardly through ahorizontal channel The side portions bar |34 and a double: flanged guide bracket |35. The channelv bar |34` extends substantially/the full, length of `the partition and rests directly upon` the A reinforcing members I3 of the pilasters I0. The-;walls and I2 of the pilasters I0 terminate atl the base |25 of the adjustable cornice and-filler |-08as do the flanged portions 34, 35, 38 and` 39;- ofV the reinforcing members |3. The remainder of the members I3, however, continue upwardly to a position well within the space within the cornice and filler and it is upon the members I3v that the channel bar |34 is positioned infixed relation thereto by means of slots cut into the side walls of said channel member. These slots which are engaged by the bases 29 and 30 of the members I3 are cut substantially only half the depth of the side walls. The bracket |35 is secured to the base of one of the elements I5 or I1 of the reinforcing member I3 and acts merely to guide and retain the bolt |32 from buckling when pressure-is brought to bear upon it by means of a nut |40.

It may readily be seen from the construction shown in Fig. 7 that when the pilasters are in an upright position and rigidly held a denite distance apart by means of the slots in the channel barA |34 with the bolt |32 extending through said bar, by turning the nut |40 the bolt will be forced upwardly and the head thereof will force the base ||.2v firmly against the ceiling ||0 and hold it in such position. The bolt not only supports the base IIE. but obviously each bolt exerts a downward pressure through the nut |45 and the channel bar |34 upon the reinforcing members I3 of the pilaster, thereby firmly and rigidly positioning; the pilaster at its base. The plates I6 and |1 are removable with relation to the rest of the cornice |08 in order that the above described means for securing the partitions may be readily` reached in the event the partition must be removed or altered in any way and to permit the base- I2 totmove toward or away from the member |25 without impairing the appearance of the cornice Ill!!` Attention is now directed to Fig. 5 wherein is shown the method of securing a bottom rail |5| betweenthe iioorand lower panel. The rail |5| comprises ay hollow member |52, closed on its upper side and formed into a centrally located longitudinal ledge |55-whicn is adapted to be engaged, by and fit within the recess |55 provided at the-lower edgeof the frame member 66 in the manner previously described. Inasmuch as the frames 66 for all panels are constructed in identically-- the same way, further mention thereof will not be necessary. The lower or under side of the member |52. terminatesin walls |54 and |51 whichabut, the oor and are rigidly spaced apart fromeach other by means of a flanged reinforcing member |58fsecured therebetween. The 1ocation` of the member |58 within the hollow member |52 is determined by its flanges, which are adapted to abut the door similarly to and between` the walls |54 and |51 of said hollow member. The horizontal portion |59 thereof rests upon a channel bar |60. Mop mouldings |62 and ||3abutA the floor exteriorly of the hollow member |52 for the purpose of attractively concealing the base of the member |52, or any discrepancy between an uneven floor and said member.

The channel bar |08 is secured to the floor by screws |61 or other suitablemeans and extends the length-of the partition, except at the doorways where no sill is provided. The bar |60 is identical in construction to the bar |34 previously described and has similar vertical cuts at predetermined intervals extending from the upper edges of each wall downwardly to a depth substantially half the height of the Walls so that either bar can be substituted for the other. The exact depth of said cuts and the manner in which they position the pilasters may be more clearly seen by referring to Fig. 13 which is a sectional view of one of the pilasters positioned on the channel bar |60. In order that the walls and I2 and the elements I6 and I1 of the pilaster may abut the floor when said pilaster is positioned on the member |60, the inner faces 29 and 30 of said elements are cut away from the bottom thereof substantially equal to the cut in the walls of the bar |60. By means of this cut-away portion of the elements I6 and I1 and the vertical out in the bar I 60, the pilaster is positioned in fixed relation with the bar |60. It is obvious, if a given number of pilasters are to be used in a partition construction and the channel bars |34 and |60 have slots at uniform intervals throughout their length, that, when the bar |60 is secured to the floor the pilasters may be positioned thereon without measurement and the upper channel bar |34 positioned on the top of each pilaster, thereby insuring an absolutely parallel relation between the pilasters.

Inasmuch as some partitions are not full ceiling height but merely extend to a height which is known in the trade as 7 foot 6 height, the construction above the uppermost panel as illustrated in Fig. 2 is shown. 'I'his ligure shows a front elevation of a. 7 foot 6 partition and since the cornice is the only part that differs in the two constructions, with the exception that the ceiling height has one more section of panel than does the 7 foot 6, only the cornice and method of supporting or reinforcing it will be described. In Fig. 8 an enlarged sectional view of the cornice |10 is shown secured along its lower edge to the frame 66 and a pilaster I0. In the construction of this partition the reinforcing member I3 of the pilaster extends well above the tops of the Walls II and I2 in a somewhat similar manner to that above described for the ceiling height partitions.

The member I3 being a part of the pilaster I0 must be rigidly secured at its upper end to hold said pilasters in proper alignment. This is accomplished by a channel bar |12 which is identical in construction to the channel bars |34 and |60 previously described. 'I'he member I3 is adapted to engage vertically cut slots in the bar |12 and thereby rigidly secure the pilaster at its upper end. In order that there may be no chance of the member |12 becoming dislodged from its position upon the members I3, retaining screws |13 are used to firmly join the member |12 with the members I3. Secured to the upper face of the member |12 by Welding or other suitable means is a heavy strip I 15 which extends the full length of the partition and is intended to give the strength and rigidity to the cornice |10 necessary inasmuch as partitions of the height haveno ceiling support. Resting upon the upper face of the strip |15 is a cover plate |16 which engages the strip |15 by means of anges |11 extending downwardly upon the side walls of said plate. Continuing from the flanges |11 the cover |16 extends substantially horizontally and terminates in vertical side flanges |18. The cornice |10 includes a ller member |80 along the upper edge of which are formed recesses or pockets |8| by means of double flanges |82. The anges |18 of the cover plate |16 are adapted to be firmly engaged within the pockets I8I of the ller member |80. The lower edge of the filler member |80 terminates in similar double flanged portions |83 and is adapted to receive the bottom plate |85 of the cornice |10 by means of the double flanged portions |83 engaging the vertical walls |86 of the plate. The plate |85 before extending upwardly to form the walls |86 is doubled back upon itself at |81 to form a shallow channel which is adapted to receive the feet |30 of the frame 66. Inasmuch as only the weight of the cornice I'III holds it in place upon the frame 66, screws |90 through the wall |88 of the plate |85 attach the plate |85 to the wall 10 of the frame 66. 'Ihe underface portions ISI of the filler member |80 are adapted to rest upon the outer walls II and I2 of the pilaster.

The rail 90, a section of which is shown in Fig. 9 between the upper portion of the door jam 86 and the transom, extends between all the pilasters and at the same height, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The rail 90 is likewise adapted to be the engaging means between two panels, as shown in Fig. 6. This rail is identical in construction to the one shown and described in Fig. 9 and is engaged by the feet |30 of the upper and lower frames 66 in substantially the same manner as the door jamb 86 engages the rail. By meansI of the rail 90 any number of panels may be positioned in proper relation to each other. 'I'hat is, if it is desired to make use of half size panels an extra rail member may be inserted between said panels and the resulting double panel will function in the same manner as would a single panel. An illustration of this may be seen by referring to Fig. 1 wherein is shown a small panel and transom, the two together occupying the space equivalent to one regular sized panel.

A modification of the means for securing frame members in proper relation to a pilaster previously described is shown at the left of the pilaster in Fig. 11. The pilaster I0 comprises the same parts, namely walls II and I2 and reinforcing member I 3 but instead of positioning the channel member 65 in desired spaced relation to said reinforcing member by means of the keepers 4I secured in place by hooking them onto said member as is shown in Fig. 3, an angle bracket |9I is employed. This bracket is secured by welding or other means to the flanges 34 and 35 of the element I6 and the member 65 rests against and is positioned by the outer edge of the bracket. On the opposite side of the pilaster to the channel member 65 and brackets I9I just described are similar brackets and a channel member. In this instance, however, the channel member is adapted to engage the side wall |93 of the transom frame 88. In other words, the transom frame 99 as well as the frame 66 may be used with this modified form of positioning different frame members with relation to the pilaster. When employed adjacent a door opening the brackets I9| are rigidly secured to the door jamb 80 by welding or other means in order to prevent the jamb from shifting relatively to the pilasters which support them. By comparing Fig. with Fig. 12 the difference in the two constructions may be readily understood. In Fig. 10 the keepers III are used to removably secure the channel member 65 associated with a frame member having a panel with respect to the pilaster and in Fig. 12 the bracket I9I is adapted to aid in positioning the frame member, but not to secure it to the pilaster. In the last-mentioned instance, the brackets simply aid in positioning channel `member 85 upon the pilaster I0 but do not retain or lock it in position. It is evident that by using either construction to position frame members with relation to the pilaster a very strong and durable partition is obtained.

It will be apparent therefore that in some instances the channel members, such as 65, will be removably secured to the pilasters, while in other instances they will merely be positioned against the brackets |91. In still other instances, such as described with reference to door jambs, brackets ISI will serve as a means to position the door jamb in proper relation to the reinforcing members of a pilaster. It will therefore be understood that in some instances the brackets will serve as keepers in the same manner as the combined keepers and spacers 4I. Where the brackets are merely welded or otherwise secured to a part of a pilaster and an adjacent part of a partition merely bears against the brackets, the brackets would in such cases merely serve as spacers. This is also true where the brackets are only welded or secured to a partition part intended to have its vertical marginal portions inserted into a pilaster.

In assembling partitions of this character itis only necessary to secure and level the channel bar upon the floor in the direction in which the partition is to extend and upon and about this channel vbar to erect the entire partition construction. The pilasters I0 are located and set down upon the channel bar |60 entering the slots cut into said bar, these slots determining the number of pilasters and their position with relation to each other. When the pilasters have been set up, the channel bar |34 (if a ceiling height partition is to be constructed) yis placed upon and secured to the member 'I3 of each pilaster by means of similar slots. The channular element II-I next positioned against the ceiling and retained in kthat position vby means of the expansion bolts |32 andthe nuts |40. The skeleton partition of channel bars and pilasters is `now somewhat rigidly positioned and when moved to an absolute vertical position the nuts |40 are turned to 'firmly secure it from Vfurther movement. As previously explained, by turning the nut |40 the head of the bolt y|32 is forced upwardly against the element IYII while the nut exerts pressure upon the channel member |34. By continuing Athe rotation o'f the vnut |40 the skeleton partition maybe so secured and braced with relation to the floor and ceiling that it will be impossible to move 4.it out of alignment. The bottom rails I5I which extend below the panels between the pilasters are now positioned over the channel bar |60, the `encls of the rails entering the recesses in the ends of the pilasters. The walls |62 and |63 which forma floor trim or mop moulding are secured to the walls of 'the bottom rails |51 in any suitable manner.

The lowest members of the partition now being `in place, a panel may be secured thereon in the following manner. 'Ihe frame 68 with the panel 61 previously secured therein is set down upon the ledge |55 of the rail I5| and simultaneously with the v'positioning of the lower portion of the frame on the ledge |55 the channel member 65 on one side of said frame is positioned within a pilaster and against the keepers 45|, which in this instance may more particularly be referred to as spacers, although they serve to keep `the channel member B5 in spaced relation to the flanged portions v38 and 30 of the channular element 1I1. said keepers or vspacers having previously been secured to said pilaster. In order to position the opposite vertical side of the frame within the adjoining pilaster, the frame is forced laterally into the recess 15 of the member l|55 so that the unsecured wall of said frame may now be inserted within the adjoining pilaster with its channel member 65 resting against the keepers or spacers 4I. Inasmuch as all the frames are positioned with relation to the pilasters in identically the same way, it will not be necessary to describe their assemblage.

When the frame which extends substantially to the height of the door is in place the rail 90 is set in place upon the frame of said panel and the'uppermost panel and frame may then be positioned upon said rail and secured to the pilasters in the manner just described. The door jambs 80 are rst placed in the doorway opening, the keepers carried by the jambs, when such are employed in preference to brackets or spacers |9|, being inserted in the slots 40 as shown in Fig. 14. The lintel 86 is then placed on the lambs 80 and a rail 90 set in position. The transom and 'the small panel thereabove engage the rail member and the pilasters in the same manner as do the panel frames so that it will not be necessary to further describe the assembling thereof.

The filler members 44 are inserted and located between the outer pilasters and the walls in the manner previously described at any time prior to the mounting of the cornice |08.

When the body of the partition is thus completed vthe base portion |25 of the cornice |08 is set down and over `the upper edge of the frame members 66. The central portion |28 thereof is rigidly secured to the walls 10 of the frame 68 by means of screws |3| '(Fig. '1). 'Ihe act of drawing together the walls 10 and |29 brings pressure to bear upon the innermost flanges of the double flanged portions |21 which extend the length of the cornice and secures them rigidly in place upon the pilaster members I| and I2. The plates ||1 and I8 of the cornice |08 may now be positioned by first slidably engaging them with the walls I4 and II5 of the channular element III and then allowed to slide somewhat out of engagement with the walls II4 and II5 in order that the lower iianged portions |24 may engage the upturned flanges of the portions |21. When the walls ||1 and I8 are in place the cornice |08 is completely assembled and not only forms an attractive joinder between the partition and the ceiling but .acts to completely enclose the ends of each pilaster and the expansion bolts.

In assembling the 7 foot 6 partition construction, the positioning of the partition is carried on in identically the same way up to a height equal to that of the top of a door, the channel bar |12 being substituted for the bar |34 across the top of the pilaster, the slots therein engaging 4the reinforcing `members I3. A plate |85 is placed upon the upper feet |30 of each frame 88 between thepilasters and is secured by screws |90 to the wall 10 of the frame `66.

The strip |15 is secured to the upper face of the channel bar |12, as stated, and the channel bar I 12, with the strip |15 thereon, is secured by screws |13 to the members I3 of the pilasters in order to prevent any bulging of the channel bar away from the reinforcing members I3. The filler members |80 of the cornice |10 are now positioned upon the walls |88 of the plate |85 by means of the doubled flanged portions |83. These Walls extend upwardly and since they terminate in double flanged portions |82 are adapted to receive the flanges |18 of the cover plate |16 which is placed upon the strip |15. In this way the 7 foot 6 height partition is assembled, rigidly reinforced along its upper portion and such reinforcing is entirely enclosed and concealed from View.

When the partition has been completely assembled and it is desired to make any changes in the arrangement of the sections the cornice, or at least the portions of the cornice above the section or sections in which the change is to be made, are removed. The upper panel frame is raised sumciently to disengage it from the rail 90 and then shifted laterally to compress the takeup member on one side, thus freeing the other side from its pilaster so that the frame can be removed. The rail 90 is next removed if necessary and then the lower frame is raised, shifted laterally and removed. The same procedure is followed in a door section with the exception that the door lintel 8G is first removed and then the jambs 80 are raised enough to free the keepers 85 from the slots 40.

I consider it within the scope of my invention as set out in the appended claims that the brackets |9| shown in Figs. 10 and l1 may be welded both to the pilaster and to the channel member 65 or some other partition part, such as a door jamb, and in such instances they still would serve as a means for spacing such partition parts with respect to the reinforcing members of a pilaster. When so employed the door jamb or other partition part would only be removable with the pilasters since they would be rigidly connected thereto by the brackets. The application to and removal from the so secured partition part of panel frames and doors, transoms, or the like, would however not be effected by this change.

While only two embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it is evident that other modifications and adaptations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as set forth in the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A removable partition for buildings, comprising a bar which extends along the floor in the direction of the partition, pilasters, means on said bar for positioning said pilasters, a second bar supported by said pilasters at the upper ends thereof, means on said second bar for further positioning said pilasters, a cornice resting upon said pilasters, removable frames mounted in the sections of said partition determined by said pilasters and removable filler members between the outer pilasters and the wall for adjustably filling the spaces thus provided.

2. A removable partition for buildings, comprising a channel bar extending along the floor in the direction of the partition, said bar having suitable spaced slots therein, pilasters, each including a. reinforcing member, the lower ends of said reinforcing member entering the slots in said bar, and a second channel bar having slots therein corresponding to the slots in said first named bar into which slots the upper ends of said reinforcing member enter whereby said pilasters are positioned in parallel.

3. A removable partition for buildings, comprising a channel bar extending along the floor in the direction of the partition, said bar having suitable spaced slots therein, pilasters, each including a reinforcing member, the lower ends of said-reinforcing member entering the slo-ts in said bar, removable frames mounted between said pilasters, and takeup members interposed between said frames and pilasters to hold said frames in place.

4. In a removable partition for buildings, a pilaster spaced from the wall, and means for filling said space comprising a channel member positioned by said pilaster, a ller in the channel of said member and a takeup member between said channel member and said filler for shifting said filler relatively to said channel member and causing said filler to abut said wall.

5. In a removable partition for buildings, a pilaster spaced from the wall, and means for filling said space comprising a channel member positioned by said pilaster, a ller in the channel of said member, a takeup member secured to said channel member, and a screw connectingr said takeup member to said ller, said screw, when turned in direction causing said takeup member to shift said filler relatively to said channel member.

6. In a removable partition for buildings, a pilaster spaced from the wall and means for filling said space comprising a channel member, keepers between said channel member and said pilaster, a filler in the channel of said member, a takeup member in said channel secured to said channel member, and means carried by said filler1 for raising said takeup member and causing said ller to advance against the wall and close the space between the pilaster and wall.

7. In a removable partition for buildings, a pilaster spaced from the wall and means for llling said space comprising a channel member, keepers between said channel member and said pilaster, a filler in the channel of 'said member, a takeup member in said channel comprising three hingedly joined elements, one of the end elements being fixed to said channel member, a plate to which the other end element is secured, and means carried by said filler for raising and lowering said plate.

8. In a removable partition for buildings, a pilaster spaced from the wall and means for filling said space comprising a channel member, keepers between said channel member and said pilaster, a filler in the channel of said member, a takeup member in said channel comprising three hingedly joined elements, one of the end elements being xed to said channel member, a plate to which the other end element is secured whereby the intermediate element connects said plate and channel member so that when said plate is raised or lowered it will also travel laterally, and means carried by said filler for raising and lowering said plate.

9. In a removable partition for buildings, pilasters, and a cornice comprising a channular element resting against the ceiling, a. base member supported upon said pilasters and plates removably interlocked with said channular element and base member.

10. A pilaster, comprising faced members and a reinforcing member consisting of twoabutting channular elements permanently secured together along their abutting faces, said elements terminating in double anged portions with which said faced members are slidably interlocked.

1l. In a removable partition for buildings, pilasters, each including a reinforcing member, a channel bar engaging each of said pilaster reinforcing members, a cornice comprising a channular element resting against the ceiling, a base portion supported 4from said pilasters, face plates removably interlocked with said channular element and said base portion, an expansion bolt and nut structure mounted upon said channel bar and in engagement with said channular element whereby when said nut is reciprocated, said bolt will cause said channular element to engage the ceiling.

12.'In a removable partition for buildings, a pilaster having slots therein, a door jamb comprising telescoped channular members separated adjacent their base walls, keepers secured to and extending outwardly from said door jamb `and adapted to engage said pilaster slots whereby said jamb is removably secured to said pilaster.

13. In a removable partition for buildings Aincluding end pilasters spaced from two spaced walls of a building, a member embraced by at least one of said pllasters, a second member cooperating with said first-mentioned member and constituting afiller element, said members being relatively telescopic, and adjustable means to cause telescopic movement of said members relatively to properly fill the space between. said pilaster and said wall and hold one of said members in rm contact with said wall, said pilasters serving as vertical end finish members for said partition and said members serving to occupy any `surplus space between said partition and at least one of said two spaced walls.

14. In a removable ypartition for buildings, a main partition wall of lixed dimensions, at least one edge ofwhich is spaced from a wall of the building, a filler partition portion occupying the space between said edge and said wall and comprising two telescopic members, one of which is in space-closing relation with said main partition portion and the other of which is in irmcontact with said wall, and means lbetween said telescopic members for causing them to move relatively.

15. A removable partition for buildings, comprising a main partition portion of xed dimensions having one marginal portion in spaced relation to a Wall of the building, said marginal portion and wall serving as contacts, an adjustable ller partition portion occupying the space between said marginal portion and said wall and comprising two parts, one of which receives bearing from one of said contacts and the other of which is movable relative to the other contact to assure a proper closure of the space between said contacts, and means between opposing faces of the two parts of said iiller partition portion adjustable to various positions to cause relative movement of said parts.

16. A partition, comprising a section of delnite size and shape having a Vertical end pilaster spaced from a xed portion of a building, a member embraced by said pilaster between the same and said fixed portion of the building, a second member co-operating with said firstmentioned member and constituting aiiller element, said two members being relatively movable to occupy any existing space between said section and said xed portion of the building and hold one of said members in rm contact with said iixed portion of the building, said pilaster being adapted to serve as a vertical end finish member for said section and said relatively movable members serving to occupy any surplus space between said pilaster and said xed portion of the building, and means for causing relative movement of said two members to reduce or increase the combined exposed width of said two members.

AXEL G. DAWSON. 

